Deal Town manager Steve King on Jack Penny’s end product as he leads way in comeback 3-2 Isthmian South East win at Margate; Home matches against Herne Bay and Hastings United next for Hoops

Boss Steve King admits Deal defender Jack Penny’s end product can make a major difference after his starring role in their derby win.

Left-back Penny kicked-start the Hoops’ turnaround in their Isthmian South East game at Margate last weekend after they had trailed 2-0 at half-time, firing home a goal-of-the-season contender.

It was his cross that also led to a Gate own goal to make it 2-2 before substitute Rory Smith came up with the match’s all-important fifth goal at Hartsdown Park in the 84th minute.

“Sometimes, games can just spin on a moment like that,” said King of Penny’s long-range effort.

“He has been in a few different positions recently. Alex Green had done well at left-back but, with Jacob Strouts out, that allowed us to put him back into his favoured position.

“It was, technically, outstanding.

“It was his great delivery for the second goal, an own goal, as well. It was a great delivery into a really difficult area to defend.

“When we have his quality, it makes a real difference.”

It looked like being a tough day when the Hoops found themselves 2-0 down. Margate player-manager Ben Greenhalgh broke the deadlock before midfielder Sam Blackman converted a penalty in first-half injury-time, which had been awarded for handball.

But King would be surprised if too many had questioned the character of his loyal squad.

He added: “I don’t think, as a group, it’s something we get questioned on.

“We went 1-0 down after a poor bit of defending from us and missed a couple of chances, then they got the penalty. But we felt well in the game.

“They had a few chances at the start of the second half when they could have got their third but, once we made it 2-1, we were going again. It’s three good wins in a row in Three